Introducing:

•Unlike fractions

HOW TO COMPARE FRACTIONSHOW TO COMPARE FRACTIONS

34

12

The fractions and have unlike denominators and unlike numerators.

Fractions that have unlike denominators are unlike fractions.

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34

58

To compare and , rename one or both fractions with like denominators making them like fractions. Then compare the numerators. In this case, is renamed as so that we can compare the numerator of and .

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34

68

68

34

58

58

If Anna is of a mile away from the shore and Alo is of a mile away from the shore, how much more does Anna need to reach Alo?

12

78

12

78

Anna is of a mile away from the shore.

*So Anna needs to row of a mile to reach Alo.

48

38

12

X44

= 48

78

- 48

= 38

The numerators are the same in and . The smaller denominator will give a larger fraction.

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35

34

35

1220

34

1520

35

< 34

The fractions and have the same numerator. The denominator 5 in the fraction means that the unit has more parts, making the parts smaller. Therefore, is smaller than .

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25

25

23

23

25

The larger the denominator the smaller the fraction.

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Saki and Hachi decided

to go skin animals for fur.

Saki filled of the cart

while Hachi filled

of the cart. How much of

the cart is filled?

110

25

25 X

22

= 410

110

+410

=510

Hachi and Saki filled up of the cart with fur, which can be simplified to .

510

12

12

Another method for comparing is to think of the fractions. In this example it is obvious that is smaller than . For one thing, is smaller than and is larger than .

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78

13

13 1

278

12

Being able to compare fractions by picturing them in your mind will help you arrive at an answer more quickly than with calculation. As mentioned before, as the numerator increases it means that you have selected more parts. As the denominator increases it means that the parts are smaller.

Which is larger, or ?

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58

716

is larger. It takes practice, but being able to estimate by visualizing the fraction (number sense) will help you to understand fractions better.

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58

Tasina and Hoksinato went on a

hunt for buffalo but they were

surrounded by a group of snakes.

To protect themselves, Tasina shot

of the snakes while Hoksinato

shot of the snakes. How

many snakes did Tasina and

Hoksinato kill?

14

38

14

x22

=28

38

+28

=58

• Tasina and Hoksinato shot of the snakes.

58